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Equine-Assisted Therapy Internship in Ecuador
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Empower young people with special needs in Ecuador through equine-assisted therapy that fosters physical, emotional, and social development
This Equine-Assisted Therapy Internship takes place near Cuenca, Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and mountain views. The project harnesses the unique movement and warmth of horses to enhance physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being in children with conditions like autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome. Hippotherapy improves coordination, posture, and concentration, and also builds confidence and social skills.
As a hippotherapy intern, you’ll support the planning and delivery of horse-assisted therapy sessions, help with early-stimulation activities for young children, and work closely with families to set and monitor goals. You may also help care for the horses, prepare materials, or participate in small-scale fundraising efforts to sustain the center. This placement is ideal for students or professionals interested in occupational therapy, adaptive education, social work, or veterinary sciences who want to gain real-world experience while contributing to an inclusive and empowering project.
Learning Objectives
- Learn to assist with horse-assisted therapy and hippotherapy techniques
- Strengthen facilitation and adaptive education skills while working with children
- Develop an understanding of family-centered rehabilitation planning
- Contribute to inclusion and sustainability projects at the center
ORGANIZATION
This Ecuador-based organization runs immersive placements that mix academic learning with real-world practice. By partnering with local nonprofits and community groups, interns build practical abilities in their chosen field while contributing to initiatives with meaningful impact. These internships offer a dynamic yet supportive setting where you can gain experience, grow professionally, and engage directly with Ecuador’s rich culture.
During this equine-assisted therapy internship, you will collaborate with a center outside Cuenca that provides hippotherapy, or therapeutic horse riding, to help children and young adults improve balance, coordination, and sensory skills. You will assist therapists during sessions, support children and their families, and take part in activities that encourage inclusion and sustainable practices. This placement offers the chance to gain hands-on experience in therapy, special education, and community engagement while living in Ecuador’s scenic highlands.
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
This Equine-Assisted Therapy Internship in Ecuador adapts to your interests and background. You can focus on therapy sessions, early childhood support, horse care, or program coordination. A patient, empathetic approach is key, as you’ll be working with children with varied needs and their families.
What You’ll Do
- Support therapists during equine-assisted sessions for children and youth
- Help plan exercises to enhance concentration, balance, and coordination
- Assist with early-stimulation activities for young children using horses
- Collaborate with families to identify therapy goals and track progress
- Take part in caring for and preparing the horses used in sessions
- Join awareness or fundraising efforts that sustain the program
Requirements
- Interest in equine-assisted therapy, rehabilitation, or inclusive education
- Patience, empathy, and respect for children with disabilities
- Flexibility and willingness to contribute to different aspects of the project
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- Motivation to support inclusive and therapeutic programs
- REQUIRED: Intermediate Spanish proficiency (B1 level or higher)
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
Upon arrival on Friday, you will explore Quito for the weekend with accommodation in a hostel including breakfast. On Sunday, you’ll travel with the team to the project site near Cuenca, Ecuador. Intern stay in shared cabins, each housing up to four people with a shared bathrooms, managed by the organization. Accommodation is modest but comfortable, with shared common areas, and basic amenities.
Safety & Support
Safety & Support
Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. During your placement, you’ll have access to the Roots team remotely, support staff on the ground, along with an internship supervisor and program coordinator.
Cuenca is considered one of Ecuador’s safest and most welcoming cities, making it a comfortable base for your internship experience. As with any destination, basic precautions are recommended — keep valuables out of sight, be aware of your surroundings in busy public areas, and avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Communication
Communication
Wifi is widely available in Cuenca, and most host families provide access at home. Internet cafés and good cellphone coverage are also easy to find. Ensure your mobile phone is unlocked for international carrier to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. For consistent connection while traveling, considering setting up an e-SIM until you get settled with a local plan.
Meals
Meals
Interns will enjoy three meals daily from Monday to Saturday, with a variety of local options available. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so we can accommodate your needs during your time in Ecuador.
Location details
Location details
The project is set about 30 minutes from Cuenca, Ecuador’s southern highland city renowned for its colonial charm and mountain vistas. In your free time, you can visit Cajas National Park with its lagoons, explore local craft markets, or enjoy the city’s vibrant arts and music scene. Wander through Cuenca’s UNESCO-listed historic center, sample traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, or take weekend trips to nearby indigenous villages and Andean landscapes. With its welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage, Cuenca is a great base for making the most of your time outside the internship.
DATES & RATES
Fee Breakdown
Arrivals are typically the first Friday of each month.
Exact arrival date options will be discussed with you upon application. You must arrive on the specified Friday as you will spend the weekend in Quito and travel to the project on Sunday with the team. You will end your internship on a Thursday with transport back to Quito on Friday where you’ll have an exit interview. Flights home or to onward travel can be booked from the Saturday your placement is over.
What you’ll pay (2026 rates)
4 weeks USD 2,561
6 weeks USD 3,134
8 weeks USD 3,708
10 weeks USD 4,313
12 weeks USD 4,918
Internships longer than 12 weeks are possible - please get in touch for rates.
Inclusions
- Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
- Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
- An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
- Accommodation in a shared cabin (up to 4 pax). If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices.
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure (to/from Quito – not the project site)
- Friday & Saturday accommodation in Quito upon arrival
- Transport from Quito to project location upon arrival (transfer back to Quito at the end of your placement is not included; the on-site team can help you arrange shared or private transport from the project to Quito for your departure)
- One night accommodation in Quito prior to departure
- Meals from Monday to Saturday morning
- Wifi is available, but the connection can be inconsistent
- Orientation and city tour of Quito
- Guidance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
- Development of an Internship Work Plan to help you reach your learning goals
- Onboarding with your supervisor
- Regular check-ins
- Support from the Roots team remotely
- A certificate of completion at the end of your internship
- A reference letter upon request
Exclusions
- Flights to/from Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport
- Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Certain meals while in Quito
- Transport back to Quito from project location upon departure
- Meals on the weekend
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
GALLERY
FAQs
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Ecuador.
What can I expect from an internship in Ecuador?
You can expect to work on your Spanish language skills while gaining hands-on experience in your preferred field. From exploring diverse ecosystems to engaging with local communities, your stay in Ecuador will provide you with insights into the country’s rich biodiversity, while the challenges and accomplishments that you experience will foster your adaptability and global perspective.
Will I have time to explore the country during my internship?
Yes! There is always time to explore the surrounding area. Our nonprofit partners are based around the country (and on the Galapagos Islands) and they can offer recommendations about which places are the best to visit! When you are based on the mainland, some of the highlights of Ecuador are, for example, the city of Cuenca or the Cotopaxi National Park. If you are based on the Galapagos Islands, there are great excursion options on the island(s) including fantastic diving. If you are keen to also explore the mainland of Ecuador, you will need to do so before or after your Galapagos internship because of the distance (and costs of the flight).
Does an internship in Ecuador qualify for university credit?
Yes, but you must ensure with your university that your supervisor approves this. It is also possible to purchase transfer credits that can be added to your internship.
Will I be paid during my internship?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to receive any kind of stipend while interning. As your internship with the nonprofit organization will be unpaid, you can check out ways to fund your internship here. The wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth throughout your experience are invaluable!
REVIEWS
My internship focused on community-based economic development, where I researched Ecuadorian social and popular law to support the creation of small agricultural developments. I worked alongside the dedicated team and the local community. This experience gave me hands-on insight into how law and policy can empower grassroot initiatives, and how collaboration lies at the heart of sustainable development.
Luke, American – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Community Development and Anthropology Internship, Ecuador
I was able to have hands-on interactions with many incredible animals, learn about how to care for them, and feed them. I also had the opportunity to choose one of animals at the center and spend time training it one-on-one. I worked with Yalla, an Andean mountain fox, training her to sit, stay, lay down, paw, and many more tricks. I was able to go in her enclosure and really interact with her, which was incredible; I truly bonded with her. This internship helped me confirm that working with animals is what I want to do in the future, and it provided me with invaluable work experience for my resume.
Della, American – Yale University
Amazon Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship, Ecuador
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Cuenca, Ecuador
PROGRAM FOCUS: Social Work NGO
TASK FOCUS: Hippotherapy, Rehabilitation, Inclusive Education
LENGTH: Min. 4 weeks
COST: From USD 2,561
FEATURED REVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS
- Live and work near Cuenca while assisting an equine-assisted therapy center
- Gain practical experience in hippotherapy and horse-based rehabilitation
- Support programs that build motor, sensory, and cognitive skills in children
- Learn from professionals committed to therapy, education, and inclusion
- Immerse yourself in Ecuadorian culture and explore the Andean highlands in your downtime
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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